Merlot Skin Care & a Giveaway!

We've all heard the benefits from moderate red wine consumption, right? Mostly in the form of heart health. In case you haven't, or have forgotten, allow me to tell you. Red grapes contain a plethora of vitamins & antioxidants, most notably flavonoids and resveratrol. Studies suggest that these antioxidants are responsible for helping to help lower your risk for high cholesterol, high blood pressure, blood clots and heart disease.

But after becoming intrigued by the benefits of red wine, the founder of Merlot Skin Care learned that the the grape seed itself was the hidden treasure. The antioxidant power of the grape seed  is 50 times more powerful than Vitamin E and nearly 25 times more powerful than Vitamin C! And when used for skin care, it helps fight free radicals, which in turn helps keep our skin looking & feeling more youthful.

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I was eager to find out what Merlot Skin Care had to offer & have a "Spa Day" just like these pumpkins. Being a busy SAHM, finding that time to relax & pamper myself is most of the time slim to none. But what I found, is that in practically no time at all, I felt refreshed like I really had just gone to the spa. Better yet, these products won't break the bank like spa treatments can. 

  

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First Crush 3-in-1 Blemish/Acne Treatment cleanses, tones & treats acne & blemishes all in one step. Which also eliminates the need for multiple products, a major plus for me since my bathroom lacks storage space. 

This is definitely comparable to another unnamed product as far as results. But it didn't feel quite as harsh. That must be why I questioned how well it was actually working since it was so gentle on my skin. But about a week later, I started to noticed fewer red spots & blemishes. Who knew grape seed extract was a natural acne fighter?!

The Purifying Peel Off Mask is, in my opinion, the best thing since sliced bread. Made with grape seed, lemon, orange peel, grapefruit, and ginseng extracts, I noticed a huge difference in the pores on my nose & elasticity of my skin after using this once a week for a few weeks. And it never dried out my face like other masks have done in the past. Not to mention that I got excited when I discovered this was actually purple! It was much easier to avoid my hairline & eyebrows by actually being able to see color instead of a glossiness when I was applying it. And it gets bonus points from me for drying in under 10 min.!

I haven't used an exfoliator for years, due to the fact that they were so coarse & seemed to leave a slight blotchiness on my skin. So I'll admit to being hesitant in trying the Exfoliator Scrub. But boy am I glad I did! The micro beads remind me more of sugar than of sand, so there was no redness left behind. Just a deep down cleanliness & smoothness that my face needed (especially on those days that I swear all I did was clean the house).

The Grape Seed Moisturizer has become a vital part to my daily routine. I use it not only as a moisturizer, but also as a primer before applying makeup. It makes me feel like I have some sort of protective barrier from free radicals. And with it's lightweight feel, my skin doesn't feel weighed down with the addition of other products. Bonus points for drying within the blink of an eye too!

Want to try Merlot Skin Care for yourself?

One  lucky winner will receive the product of their choice from Merlot Skin Care!

The giveaway will conclude on at 12:00 a.m. est on Wednesday 12/25/13. Winners will be announced via rafflecopter & in a separate blog post which will be published no later than 3:00 p.m. on Wednesday 12/25/13. Winners will also be notified via email & announced on the Smith and Blessings facebook page. Winners will have 48 hours to submit shipping information, which will then be passed on to Merlot Skin Care for distribution of product. If 48 hours has lapsed, a new winner will be picked & then will also have 48 hours to submit their information. *Giveaway open to U.S. residents only. 

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**Disclaimer: I received these products to try from Merlot Skin Care & am simply sharing my personal opinion which may vary from yours. I was not compensated for this review.